The Bank of Japan raises its policy interest rate to the highest level in about 31 years, a move decided by a split vote among board members. The hike takes the policy rate to 1.25% as of Friday.
According to outlets, the decision is not unanimous: CNBC reports the vote is 7–2, with Toichiro Asada and Ayano Sato among the dissenters. Quartz similarly describes the increase as a split decision, noting two dissenting board members and citing that the vote involves 9 board members in total.
Both sources frame the action as part of the BOJ’s assessment of inflation dynamics. CNBC adds that the bank flags concerns around inflation as it changes policy, while Quartz focuses more directly on the size of the rate increase and the division within the board. Neither outlet attributes the dissent to a specific alternative policy stance, but the presence of multiple dissenting voices is a common element across reporting.
